voyage. We made a fine run
home; and took our pilot on board off Deal. The gale was blowing up
then; but as it looked as if it was coming from the north-east we did
not care about riding it out in the Downs, or going back so as to be
under shelter of the South Foreland.

"It did not come on really heavy till we were nearly off Margate, and
then we got it with a vengeance. Still, as the wind was free, we kept
on. Then, as you know, it came on almost pitch dark, and I think the
pilot lost his head. Anyhow, as he was one of those who were drowned, we
need not say whether he was to blame or not. I thought we were getting
too close to the broken water, and told him so, but he said we were all
right. He didn't make allowance enough, I think, for the leeway she was
making, and a minute later she struck, and you can guess the rest. Her
back broke in a few minutes, and her mizzen went over the side,
carrying with it the pilot, my first mate, and six sailors.

"She soon after began to break up at the stern. I cut away the other two
masts to relieve her, but the sea made a clear breach over her. I got
the ladies and Mr. Godstone, who had been on deck when she struck and
got his leg broken by the first sea which pooped her, forward as soon as
I could, and managed to fire one of her guns three times. I had no hope
of rescue coming from shore, but there was a chance of some ship coming
up helping us; though how she was to do it I could not see. However,
nothing came near until I saw your sail. I expect that any steamers
coming up from the south brought up under the Foreland, while those from
the north would of course take the Swin. Anyhow, it would have been all
over with us had you not come to our rescue. Even when I saw you making
over towards us I had not much hope, for I did not see how you could get
close enough to us to aid us, and I was quite sure that no open boat
could have lived in that broken water."

CHAPTER VI.

ALTERED PROSPECTS.

AS soon as the shipwrecked crew were on shore, Jack Robson landed and
made his way homeward. At the railway-crossing he met his mother
hurrying down, for the news that the _Bessy_ had arrived with a number
of shipwrecked people had spread rapidly through the place.

"Well, Jack, so I hear the _Bessy_ has been helping a wreck. I had no
idea that you would be home to-day. What in the world induced your uncle
to make the run in such weather as this?"

"It was nothing like so bad